Written under the psueodnym of Andrew North, because a woman cannot write science fiction - this little tale is a bit different, as it is not Sci fi, or really even fantasy. It is an early foray into adventure fiction. ( )

Once, some few years ago, a boy begged a story of me. It was to be of "sword fights and impossible things." I complied as best I could with this imaginary tale of Courts and Castles, Crown Princes and Communists. The telling of it was not in days or weeks, but in months. However, I fulfilled my promise.

First words

"D'you know," Michael Karl flicked the chin of the boy in the mirror lightly with the thong of his riding crop, "d'you know that you're an awful disappointment and rather a failure?"